Shake Phrase in a Box – Classroom Activity

Here’s a great idea from @DetroitSamWhite, whom I met in the twitterverse. A great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare and realize the impact that The Bard’s language had on the rest of the world is to play a little game with your kids called, Shake Phrase. As many of you know, all of my books are sprinkled with common Shakespeare phrases that kids will hear throughout life. Well, with Shake Phrase, you write down dozens of these common phrases and words and put them in a box. BUT, the 2nd part is to put another dozen or so of other common phrases, not done by Shakespeare in the same box. Now, Shake Phrase: shake the box and pull a phrase, the kids have to guess if they are from Will or not. As @DetroitSamWhite says, “blows their minds :-)”

Do a few phrases each day and they will quickly “start learning that many of the phrases they hear and use are Shakespeare quotes.”

It’s almost like Catch Phrase for Shakespeare!

Drop me a line and let me know if you have a great classroom activity for engaging kids with the Bard. I always like to share great ideas like Shake Phrase.

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About brendan kelso

Brendan is the main creative source and author behind Playing With Plays and the infamous Shakespeare for Kids series. You can typically find him inventing by day, playing with his family by night, and writing by very late night.

Testimonials

These plays are hilarious and fun!
– M. N. Oliver – Mom

The only difficulty I’m having with Brendan’s versions, is that the students can’t get enough and I am having difficulty getting them to do other things. It’s actually a problem that I wish upon all teachers.
-cnaken – Teacher

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a fun and interactive way of learning or teaching Shakespeare! Love, love, loved it!
-Cora – Teacher

Anyone who teaches young people can really use this book!
-R. Canfield – Teacher/Mom

Kelso’s ability to mix the modern language with some of the original lines helps to create a play that is engaging to watch.
-Amy – Teacher

I read “Julius Caesar” first with my 8 year-old son and he loved it. After all it had ghosts and sword swinging… so what’s not for a boy to love.
-Pam T – Mom

Even though Hamlet is a tragedy, for us it was more like a tragedy + comedy=tramedy!! Parents loved it. I will definitely do the play again with my new 3rd grade class next year.
-3rd grade Teacher

Students can perform the play in language familiar to them while incorporating Shakespeare’s most famous lines.
-dbklover – Homeschool Educator

I heard it around the school for several weeks afterwards!
-sscragg – Teacher

I recently received my copy of Brendan Kelso’s Shakespeare’s Macbeth for Kids, and I can’t wait to use it in my classroom (6th/7th language arts).
-Mary E. Moore – Teacher

Testimonials

I recently received my copy of Brendan Kelso’s Shakespeare’s Macbeth for Kids, and I can’t wait to use it in my classroom (6th/7th language arts).
-Mary E. Moore – Teacher

I read “Julius Caesar” first with my 8 year-old son and he loved it. After all it had ghosts and sword swinging… so what’s not for a boy to love.
-Pam T – Mom

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a fun and interactive way of learning or teaching Shakespeare! Love, love, loved it!
-Cora – Teacher

Even though Hamlet is a tragedy, for us it was more like a tragedy + comedy=tramedy!! Parents loved it. I will definitely do the play again with my new 3rd grade class next year.
-3rd grade Teacher

Students can perform the play in language familiar to them while incorporating Shakespeare’s most famous lines.
-dbklover – Homeschool Educator

Anyone who teaches young people can really use this book!
-R. Canfield – Teacher/Mom

The only difficulty I’m having with Brendan’s versions, is that the students can’t get enough and I am having difficulty getting them to do other things. It’s actually a problem that I wish upon all teachers.
-cnaken – Teacher

I heard it around the school for several weeks afterwards!
-sscragg – Teacher

These plays are hilarious and fun!
– M. N. Oliver – Mom

Kelso’s ability to mix the modern language with some of the original lines helps to create a play that is engaging to watch.
-Amy – Teacher